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The lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Official Reactions

The vocal music duo sparked significant controversy when they led crowd calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June set. The slogan was censured by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, Bob Vylan was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American government revoked the artists' travel documents, forcing the duo to call off a planned North American tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

During his first public discussion after the Glastonbury show, the musician, whose real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist noted that the criticism the duo encountered was "minimal compared to what people in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their support, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, they're the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've upset some conservative politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Feedback

This musician said he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the chant, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit later found that the BBC's airing of the show violated content guidelines in regard to offense and hurt.

He informed Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one suspected anything. Nobody. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also hit back at Damon Albarn, who labeled the protest "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

His comment was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that somehow the views of the band or our position on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he stated.

"I take great issue with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Chant

When questioned what he intended by the phrase "Death to the IDF," the artist said the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the conditions that exist to allow that chant to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in the region. Where the Palestinian population are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he noted: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also rejected claims from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish community safety group, that their performance led to a rise in antisemitic events recorded later.

"I don't think I have caused an hostile environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were large numbers of individuals going out and going like 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Artists

As Vylan said he felt the duo had been criticised more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the conflict, the host brought up the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have likewise encountered backlash for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "because as with all things ethnicity becomes a factor in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than others are because we are already the opponent."